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Buescher State Park
Buescher State Park is the quieter, less-crowded sibling of nearby Bastrop State Park. Connected by the scenic Park Road 1C, it wraps around a small 30-acre lake in the Lost Pines ecosystem. Dense post-oak woodlands provide excellent shade, making it one of the most peaceful camping experiences close to Austin.
64 campsitesCentral Texas50 min from Austin$4/person entrance feeFull Buescher State Park camping guide →
Short answer
Buescher State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Smithville are bookable today.
Getting a site at Buescher State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Buescher State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Buescher State Park
Lost Pines cabins and lakeside retreats await amid whispering woods and quiet waters.
See cabins & rentals near Smithville →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$18/night*32 sites
Water, 20/30-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water Only
$15/night*20 sites
Water only - tents onlyTent OK
Primitive Hike-in
$15/night*5 sites
No hookups - short 10-60 yard walk-in, 15x15 tent padTent OK
Screened Shelter
$25/night*4 sites
Water, electricity, outdoor grill, fire ring, restrooms nearby; premium shelters add a ceiling fan and patio
Cabin
$85/night*3 sites
A/C unit, ceiling fan, heater, microwave, refrigerator, water, electricity, twin bunk beds; no bathroom (restrooms nearby)
Buescher State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Lost Pines cabins and lakeside retreats await amid whispering woods and quiet waters.
See cabins & rentals near Buescher State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Buescher State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the water + electric sites first - they have the hookups families want and go fastest on weekends
For Privacy:The primitive walk-in tent sites (a short 10-60 yard carry) offer the most solitude in the woods
For RVs:RVs should target the water + electric sites with 20/30-amp service; cabins and shelters do not allow RVs
When to Go
March through November. Easier to book than Bastrop, but spring and fall weekends do sell out.
Tips
- →Drive Park Road 1C between Buescher and Bastrop for stunning Lost Pines scenery
- →Lake fishing is catch and release only — bring your rod anyway
- →Less crowded on weekends than nearby Bastrop
- →Watch for armadillos at dusk — they're everywhere
Highlights
Under an hour from AustinQuieter alternative to Bastrop State Park30-acre lake for fishing (catch and release)Heavily shaded campsites7.7-mile scenic drive on Park Road 1C to Bastrop SP4 miles of hiking trails
Buescher State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Buescher State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Buescher State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through November. Easier to book than Bastrop, but spring and fall weekends do sell out. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Buescher State Park have?+
Buescher State Park has 64 campsites, including Water + Electric, Water Only, Primitive Hike-in, Screened Shelter, Cabin. Sites start at $15/night plus a $4/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Buescher State Park?+
The entrance fee at Buescher State Park is $4 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Buescher State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Buescher State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Smithville is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Buescher State Park?+
Cancellations at Buescher State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Smithville are bookable today as a backup.
Cabins & vacation rentals near Buescher State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Smithville are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Smithville →